I am so scared!

[Kels123]

I have only been at my  job for 2 months and I just found out that the maturnity leave will not be covered and they said I could apply for FMLA but I don't qualify for it. Now when I come back from unpaid maturnity leave, they won't even guarentee that I will have my job back. What am I supposed to do? I don't have insurance yet, I am going to the place on Thursday to apply. I am so scared and worred!!! Any suggestions?

[Kels123]

Thanks everyone, hopefully I will get some answers this Thursday! Keep your fingers crossed that I get insurance or at least medicaid right away!

[sweetangel7]

Nikko hit the nail on the head...Good luck!

[nikko*ttc]

FMLA only applies to companies with 50 or more employees out of at least 20 calander weeks of the year. So, if you company is smaller than that, you have a real problem on your hands. Unfortunately, it is FMLA which guarantees that they have to keep your job while you are out too. So, it is possible that the job may not be waiting for you if they aren't required to offer FMLA. As for insurance, with you being preggers they date the insurance from the day you apply. However, if you make too much money you may have to pay a monthly fee to have it. Be sure to check into maternity/prenatal health only plans not offered by the state, they are sometimes cheaper and/or have better coverage for a little bit more.

[ashiepooh]

In WA you only have to even be at a place of work for 90 days before your guranteed your job back!  I suppose every state is different!  

Laura - I would maybe go above your supervisor and talk to human resources on what your options are.  

[durhamjk1]

If you don't make too much money and you aren't too proud - you could look into getting a medical card - you should qualify if your income is under a certain amount, but only during the time you are pregnant - just go to the Department of Job and Family Services, also while you are there look into WIC - you may qualify for one, but not the other... WIC will help you buy food while pregnant and then after the baby is born you can still use it too.  

[alaysha]

Hmm... at my work they told me I could take short term diability for pregnancy (since its actually considered a disability if you are admitted into the hospital) and that if I had to get a c-section then I could do long term which would of gave me 9 weeks home. I guess maybe it just depends on the company but that is weird that they would tell you that you couldn't even take short term disability. :(

[LauraB78]

I asked about disability b.c I am originally from NY and that is what typically happens there for unpaid maternity leave.., and my supervisor flat out said....

"You aren't disabled, you are pregnant.. That is ridiclous.."

My jaw hit the floor. That was last Thursday and that is anothr reason that I hate my job and my employer...

[alaysha]

They can only guarantee it if you work there for at least a year although some companies lower that to like 9 months or so. She could apply for disability but that will only give her a couple of weeks max in which to miss.

[GTsMom]

I believe that Federal Law only applies if you have been in your current position for at least 1 year.  Do you pay into disability in the State that you are employed in and does it allow you to collect disability while on maternity leave?  I worked in NJ with my first pregnancy and was able to collect to disability while on maternity leave.  I will get unpaid leave for my second as I now work in PA but am able to take advantage of the protection of my job through FMLA as I have been in my current position for over a year.

[ashiepooh]

Yeah I was going to have to say exactly what Laura said!  It's illegal for them to not gurantee your job back!  You will get up to 12 weeks (Maybe a little less depending on your state), and if your not back by then, then they can terminate you if you haven't worked something out as to why you wouldn't beable to come back by that time!  

Through my work, which I am returning to after this baby I get 16 weeks paid maternity leave, and when I return they have a daycare which they will pay half of.  I of course work at a huge company, so that may be why!  My husband get 4 weeks of paid paternity leave!  A lot of companies will go out of their way to take care of their employees, unfortunately there are a lot of companies who don't!  

I hope you get it figured out Kels123!  

[Kels123]

No, I don't but I could probably request one. I hope I will  be able to get my job back!

[LauraB78]

There are Federal laws that your employer has to guarantee your position (or a comparable one for a certain amount of time) Do you have an employee handbook that you can look over?

I am in the same boat.. No paid leave and it is sooo stressful! I totally sympathize!

[Kels123]

Thank you, hopefully it will be rushed

[justice6920]

If you preggo they normally will rush it and start coverage right away..... I live in AZ and tht is at least how they do it out here...... Good luck

[Kels123]

Thursday I am taking off work to go down to see if I qualify for medicaid, I just don't know how long it takes and when I will start being covered. I am so scared! I just want to cry! The babies daddy lives in a completely different town than I and I make better money than he does. Any advice?

[njrohe]

Have you looked into government aid programs like WIC and Medicaid?  Any chance you would qualify?